Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10439856December 14, 2011
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER UNIT WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE UNIT BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE UNIT WAS OPERABLE WHEN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT IF THE FAILURE WERE TO RECUR, THEN THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A CLAIM ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,934. ...UPDATE 01/20/12 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435512November 14, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD REVVING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434025November 2, 2011
AIR BAGS
THIS VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS AIR BAGS, BEING T-BONED BY A SEMI TRUCK AT 30 MPH NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES OF INTRUSION, AS WELL THE FRAME OF VEHICLE BETWEEN THE DOORS WAS TOUCHING THE DRIVER SEAT, BUT NONE OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS, OR PELVIC AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433691October 31, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS UNDER THE REQUIRED WEIGHT FOR THE SEAT TO DETECT OCCUPANCY AND ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME AIR BAG PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/07/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430181October 14, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STOPPED, VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND ACCELERATES, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE RPMS RACED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN PARK, BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE EVEN HIGHER. I HAD TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE RPMS FROM RACING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429142October 7, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ABOUT THE END OF MARCH I NOTICED MY CAR WAS LEAKING GAS. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BUT ITS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I NEVER HIT ANYTHING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THING COULD'VE HAPPENED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON KIA SPECTRA FUEL SYSTEMS BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. IT WOULD BE NICE TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT ISN'T. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427576September 27, 2011
SEAT BELTS
THE REAR SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WHEN YOU START TO PULL THEN AROUND YOU AND THEY WILL NOT TURN LOOSE SO YOU CAN GET THEN ON. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427192September 26, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES WOULD BE DEPRESSED STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. IN ORDER FOR HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426708September 22, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY
CALLED THE DEALERSHIP OF WHERE I BOUGHT MY KIA AT, COULDNT GET A HOLD OF THEM TO SET AN APPOINTMENT TO GO INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE SERVICE DONE. I RECEIVED A LETTER ON JUNE 6TH, OF 2011, AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION, AND OR TO STILL TO TAKE IT IN? OR... IM NOT SURE ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425111September 12, 2011
POWER TRAIN
IN APRIL OF 2009 MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING RIGHT IN THE CENTER LANE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AS I WAS LEAVING MY HOME, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP JUST TO FIND OUT THAT KIA WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND THE COSTS ($1550) CAME OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE REPAIRMAN TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS QUITE OFTEN WITH THE 2003 KIA SPECTRA BUT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL. NOW IT IS SEPTEMBER OF 2011 AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AGAIN! WITH THIS VEHICLE AT LESS THAN 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT TWICE ALREADY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424490September 9, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD AND ACCELERATE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422873September 1, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND LATER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL OWN HIS OWN FOR TREATMENT. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,800.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10422808August 31, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 KIA SPECTRA; BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE STARTED LEAKING AROUND 90K MILES. CONTACTED THREE LOCAL DEALERS, ALL THREE STATED THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421665August 26, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
KIA SPECTRA EX 2004.5. CONSTANTLY STALLS AND ENGINE RACES AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED. I AM FORCED TO PLACE TRANSMISSION IN "N" WHEN I APROACH A STOP SIGN. I AVOID HIGHWAYS BEING AFRAID TO STALL AT A HIGH SPEED AND CAUSE A FATALITY TO MYSELF OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IN A TYPICAL KIA FASHION I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG.NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SITUATION HAS GOT WORSE.MY MECHANIC SAYS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OR THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE INTERNET IS FULL WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY SPECTRA AND ANOTHER KIA MODELS OWNERS. THIS DESERVE AN INVESTIGATION. A FATALITY MAY HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER. PLEASE, FORCE KIA TO COME FORWARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. CERTAINLY THEY KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY "NOTHING IS WRONG". *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421138August 23, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT; THEREFORE, IT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE OCS MAT WHICH ACTIVATED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE OCS MAT REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE OCS MAT AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF AN INJURY TO THE PASSENGER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421868August 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN
2005 KIA SPECTRA PASSED INSPECTION AS WELL AS ALL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER OWNING IT AT APPROXIMATELY 85,722 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING, TRAVELING THROUGH LOCAL STREETS SLOWLY (AT LESS THAN 5 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ACTUALLY EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT LEFT A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING. TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE STREET AND PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT. LEAVING US STRANDED FIVE HOURS FROM HOME. TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP, AND FOUND OUT LATER VIA PICTURES, E-MAIL, PHONE CALLS AND OPINIONS FROM MECHANICS THAT THERE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DEFECT IS UNDETECTABLE WITH THE NAKED EYE (BECAUSE IT WAS INTERNAL), THIS WOULD NOT SHOW UP IN DIAGNOSTICS NOR TRIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS IS HAPPENING UNLESS YOU CAN SEE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BY THAT TIME IT IS TOO LATE. LOOKING AT THE PICTURES YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THROUGH THE 12 HOLE AND INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE THE INTERNAL WORKINGS. THERE YOU WILL SEE WHAT IS AN APPROXIMATE 3 GROOVE IN WHICH A BENT PIN (FROM MANUFACTURING) WORE AWAY AT THE METAL TILL THERE WAS NO MORE METAL FOR IT TO HIT. AT WHICH POINT IT EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT RIPPED A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE METAL HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION (WITH 4 OF US IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME). WE CONTACTED KIA AND ADVISED THEM OF SITUATION AS WELL AS THE EXPENSES TO REPAIR AND ALL THEY GAVE US WAS THE RUN AROUND! WHEN ASKED THEY WOULD NOT DISCLOSE WHERE THEY SENT THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND KIA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE! TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT EXPLODE! THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND A SAFETY CONCERN! HAD THIS HAPPEN AT 70 MPH THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE INJURIES! WE HAVE CLEAR DETAILED PICTURES! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421831August 21, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAD THIS CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER ON TUESDAY AND IT DROVE FINE, I FILLED THE FUEL TANK AT THE SAME STATION I HAVE BEEN USING FOR OVER A YEAR. AND DROVE HOME(1-1/2MI) THE NEXT DAY AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO MISS AND THE ENGINE DIED I RESTARTED IT AND DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE AND IT DIED AGAIN I DROVE TO THE DEALER AND LEFT THE CAR TO BE CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN OVER FILLED AND THAT THE SAME THREE SYSTEM COMPONENTS (LESS THAN A YEAR AGO I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM) REQUIRED CHANGE AT OVER $700. I DO NOT TOP OFF THE TANK, AND HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY WATCHFUL THAT IT IS NOT TOPPED OFF SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD HAD I BEEN IN THE LEFT LANE. THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKE FAIL WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING . I THINK A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED BEFORE A DEATH. I SEE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SPECTRA. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE DRIVER OR NOT ( I DID NOT AND DO NOT TOP OF THE FUEL TANK). BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE FUEL VAPOR SYSTEM ON THIS CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420508August 18, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, FIRST HAPPENED IN DECEMBER AND NOT AGAIN UNTIL APRIL OF THE NEXT YEAR. SINCE APRIL IT HAS BEGUN TO STALL MORE OFTEN WHEN STOPPED. VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER IN JUNE; THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAME DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER IN AUGUST, AFTER STALLING AND HESITATION DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. I PROVIDED THE SERVICE CENTER WITH THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION THAT I FOUND THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING CONFIRMED THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL TANK. REPLACED FUEL TANK, EVAP CANISTER, VENT SOLENOID, PURGE FLOW SOLENOID, AND CANISTER FILTER, WITH PARTS AND LABOR TOTALLING $1100. SERVICE CENTER REFUSED TO ANSWER WHETHER THE PARTS ARE THE SAME DESIGN AS THE DEFECTIVE PARTS, OR IF THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED/UPDATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419416August 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
I RECENTLY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AND I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THEY DIDN'T SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS WONDERING WHY I WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THIS SO I COULD TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10419232August 12, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONTAL IMPACT AT ABOUT 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SUFFERED STRAINED NECK. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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